Dark Academia - anyone who loves this style?

[highlandcoo]

And where to find it?

This is how I want to dress this winter. More skirts and dresses rather than trousers as my waist is not the best and the trousers can look bulky unless you have a good waistline I think.

I love tweed and wool and flannel and autumn colours. Not black! Although brown is sometimes hard to find. Love brown leather for boots and bags. I really want to get away from jeans and chunky boots for a change.

I think I can knit some jumpers and cardigans. But I would love a big tweedy coat. I have a couple of really nice brown tweed hats from a shop in Edinburgh who made the hats for Peaky Blinders. But I need the right sort of coat to go with them. My long cosy puffy coat is cosy but totally wrong.

Any aficionados out there?

Like this one for instance... available in brown. Or ecru

www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350314437.aspx?docid=221823&dim1=1#searchkeyword=alpaca%20pointelle%20&shoppingtool=search

Miss Willoughby's bag is the London Tote from Aspinal.

@HipTightOnions

thank you! Will drop hints to DH for Christmas. Unless the current conveyancing stress tells me to sod it! Have printed it out with the phrase ‘at least it’s not Hermes because that would have been pricey!’

Aspinal often have extremely good sales, by the way, BurningTheToast.

Just in case...

This thread has been pricey, I've bought a merino dress from house of bruar and a grey wool skirt from vinted which is also house of bruar

The dark academia style isn't quite me in terms of colour palette, I tend more towards navy, black and grey, but I still like the style elements and textures and materials used so it's all good inspiration

They do! I have a gorgeous burgundy hobo bag from there and a dark green laptop bag, both less than £200. Lovely quality and packaging.

This thread is marvellous.

Love the way it's collating all things DA, not just clothes.

Anyone have any particular requests for what we've yet to cover?
Because I have a spare half hour and am happy to Google research it for you.

(Gives me a valid excuse to gawp at lovely things instead of cracking on with finishing an assignment 😉)

Pointed. Not printed. Because that would be excessive!

I’ve also been browsing House of Bruar (just up the A9 from here, good cafe with excellent scones) which I’ve always dismissed as trad country stuff for the older lady but actually, if some of those tweed and wool skirts come up long enough and I wear a chunky boot not a court shoe, I think they might look okay.

Going on the academia side of things, just spotted these tiny brass Jane Austen book lockets, which open up for your tiny photos!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1313171049/antique-brass-book-locket-necklace-jane?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=uk+england+dark+academia+jewellery&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&organic_search_click=1

@BurningTheToast I may need to make an excursion to HoB then, just for the scones, natch - and maybe just to try on the odd item or two. Purely in a spirit of research to assist other members of this thread.

I’ve ordered this. Not 100% sure as it says it’s cotton but the details say it’s 67% cotton and 33% polyester. I won’t normally wear polyester as I find it so unbreathable and it makes me sweat. Never come across a 66/33 split like this, I’m hoping it’s more cotton like 🤷‍♀️

dress

@HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas
That's really lovely. Will await with interest your review!

I love it.@HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas !

@MissoniIMPOSSIBLE they have a Labrinth one! I was thinking I could layer a Jane Austen with my Alex Monroe Bee...but then am veering into Bridgerton vibes.

A lot of this stuff is very expensive but eBay is also SWIMMING in these brands - my watchlist is a dream right now.

Good morning fellow DAs!

I’m on the hunt for a waistcoat in a nice dark brown. Not too long, slightly cropped would be ideal. I am both short, and not-at-all-blessed in the nork department.

I’m generally a size 6 which is my issue because the one I’m coveting is this:

https://www.walkerslater.com/iona-waistcoat-ht-brn-hb

Any Walker slater aficionados know how often they tend to restock?

I’ve just bought this skirt from them https://www.walkerslater.com/deborah-moss-donegal-shetland and I think a contrasting waistcoat would be lovely (they don’t have the matching one in my size anyway).

It doesn’t have to be tweed- I think suede or even knit might be nice too.

Has anyone come across something that might fit the bill??

Oh man I love this thread!

I have always in my head dressed dark academia. In reality though I’m a shortish (5’3) high waisted blonde hourglass shape ( defo large of norkage) and I really struggle to make it work. Sigh.

I'm a similar height and build, and the good thing about this look is that it's based on separates (petite ranges obviously having a very limited variety of dresses) and the unflattering oversized silhouette is not mandatory. I wear knitted sweaters and wool skirts anywhere from thigh length to mid calf, but usually just above the knee. Back in the UK I had problems getting blazers to fit unless they were from the 70s or earlier, but the continent is more petite-friendly. The problem I still have is with shirts/blouses: oversized ones would bring back traumatic memories of horrible school blouses which my DM bought about 10 sizes too big and which came down to my knees, while shirts which are supposed to be fitted always gape at the bust. So I end up wearing fitted T shirts and vest tops, which feel dated and not smart enough for work.

I have this problem too. When I got the warning email saying bravissimo were going to stop doing clothes, I pretty much cleaned them out in linen shirts in super curvy in all the possible sizes I might be. I have enough to last me a good 15 years if I’m gentle on them but have no idea what I will do when I’ve trashed them all. Im
thinking custom is going to be the only option. 😬

The great thing about being 5 3/ 5 4 is that stuff that is mini on the models is a nice just above the knee on us. Whereas anything knee length on the models is solidly midi and I’ve never been able to make that work. It is more of an issue with dresses though as all the hip/waist/ shoulder length ratios are wrong. Skinny 7/8 trousers also sit nicely as the perfect length. Have you tried a nipped in jacket rather than jumpers which can drown us from hanging off the bazookas?

@Darkacademic well done re Bravissimo! I always used to aspire to their stuff, but I was a skint single mum on the rock 'n' roll at the time.

Off to google Bravissimo alternatives!

I think I am still paying it off the credit card!!!!

I love that! I can’t wear waistcoats as my boobs are too big compared to my waist - they don’t fit properly - I get round it by wearing fair isle knit waistcoats. Cabbages and Roses do them although I have to get mine preloved.

Have just been looking on Cabbages and Roses @Mirabai
Thanks for the suggestion. I love the look of all of their knitwear!

What shoes/tights will you go for with that gorgeous skirt @RedLem0nade? I find if I go for a skirt like that I can get it all to look great down to the knees then the shoes/tights either make it look super cool or total 80 yr old granny and I give in and just wear cords again.